Corran Ferry replacement project making ‘good progress’

Lochaber Area Committee was presented last week with an outline business case update prepared by Highland Council’s Corran Ferry Project Team.

The project was established to review the options for securing replacement ferry vessels and for considering the preferred way forward for the future operation and management of the Corran Service.

At the end of June, the council approved £1.6million to enable the project team to begin work on the feasibility and preliminary design of two vessels – in conjunction with Transport Scotland/CMAL Small Vessel Replacement Programme (SVRP); and two new slipways and supporting infrastructure. CMAL recently appointed a naval architect and the SVRP is on course to move to procurement of the first tranche of vessels in the next 12 months, subject to completion and approval of an outline business case.

Chairman of Lochaber Area Committee Councillor Andrew Baxter said the council’s approved £1.6m feasibility and preliminary design work was a ‘significant milestone’ and demonstrated a positive commitment to residents, businesses and visitors.

Lochaber councillor Allan Henderson, Caol and Mallaig, chairman of HITRANS, said: ‘The current service, operated with an ageing vessel and limited crew numbers, is no longer sustainable.’

Dr Michael Foxley, vice chairman of Ardgour Community Council, said the need for a ferry carrying more than 30 cars/lorries was emphasised at the area committee meeting, adding that 563 responses had been received, from businesses and residents, by consultants carrying out a socio-economic study: ‘This evidenced the catastrophic socio-economic impact if the ferry service was not fit for the future for the communities in our peninsulas as well as for Lochaber, Skye and Mull. The alternative, a double track road between Kinlocheil and Ardgour, would cost £190million with a huge impact on ancient woodlands and crofts.’